Cancer Patients During Corona

Directions for Patients Receiving Active Treatment

Is it possible to forgo treatment or to receive treatment at home?

Patients must should continue with their regular oncological treatment in order to reach optimal medical results. IV treatment must be done at the hospital as there is no way to provide it at home in a safe, supervised way. If you are not interested in treatment or fear coming to the hospital, please consult with the staff in your unit.

Should I keep my appointment at the clinic?

We recommend coming for all treatment or tests that your doctor has prescribed. In the case of oral medication, it may be possible to forgo the visit at the clinic and instead avail of the digital Sheba Comes to You service. Check with the staff at the clinic if the service you need can be provided via telemedicine.

Am I at high risk for catching COVID-19?

Cancer patients are considered one of the high-risk groups. That doesn't mean they're more likely to catch the disease, but rather, once they do catch it, they are more likely to develop a serious case of corona.

Directions for Patients Under Supervision

 Should I keep my appointment at the clinic?

The oncology department is continuing working as usual and receiving patients at the clinic. If you have an appointment, don't miss it. That said, there are visits that can be done remotely, via phone or video call. Check with the clinic's staff if the service you need can be done through Sheba Comes to You.

Am I at high risk for catching COVID-19?

Patients for whom a considerable amount of time has passed since the end of their last treatment and whose tests were normal for at least a year are not necessarily considered high-risk. In any event, you should take the safety precautions that are mandated for everyone.

Outpatients

Our outpatient clinic is operating normally with our full staff roster. If you haven't received any special message that your appointment has been postponed or cancelled, come as usual. Patients who need to be quarantined at home may not come to the oncology institute, especially not to the outpatient clinic. If you are in quarantine, inform your physician so that s/he can consider how to continue treatment and find solutions if possible.

• As always, come prepared, preferably with your blood tests done through your HMO.
• Come with a mask. If you don't have one, we will provide it.
• The medical staff at the outpatient clinic are outfitted with protective robes and masks and are careful to keep all areas separate in order to limit any unnecessary exposure. It's forbidden to walk through the different areas; go straight to where you need to be for your treatment.

Clinics

The clinics are continuing to operate, however, there may be changes in appointment times. Many clinics will be operating via the Sheba Comes to You telemedicine system. Check with your clinical team if the service you need can be done remotely.

You must wear a mask throughout your visit, and keep a distance of 2 meters between people when standing in line, sitting across from the receptionists and in the doctor's room.

All questions can be directed to our phone number or to our Email: Mirp.oncology@sheba.gov.il

Radiation Institute

Our radiation institute (radiotherapy) is operating normally with the exception of a few minor changes:

• The first visit to the institute for simulation and treatment must take place on site.
• Visits during the course of the radiation treatment as well as follow-up visits can be done remotely, via Sheba Comes to You. All arrangements can be made in advance through the secretary, Tel. 03-5302600.
• Doctors' hours have changed, and not all doctors are available at all times. Appointments can be made through the secretary.
• The staff wears protective gear according to Health Ministry instructions. Patients must be careful to keep the recommended distance of 2 meters and to maintain hand hygiene.
• All questions can be directed to our phone number or to our Email: Mirp.oncology@sheba.gov.il

Hospitalization Departments

Call us at 03-5302512 with any questions you have.

Unit for Supportive Treatment

The Unit's clinics are continuing to receive patients for treatment and follow-up: to help stabilize physical and mental symptoms, and to provide psycho-social support and assistance in organizing the house. Included are the Pain Clinic and the Families Clinic. For any questions, please call the secretary at 03-5307821 or the nurses station: 03-5303011.

The Recovery Clinic will receive new, urgent patients for evaluation. Return patients will receive remote treatment, where possible, in order to limit the need to come to the hospital.

The Tal Center for Complementary Medicine has limited its hours. Preference is given to patients who are in the building for other reasons on the same day. For more information about the earliest appointment please call: 03-5307327.

Psychological Services are continuing on an emergency schedule. In case of emergency, inform the medical team (doctor, nurse, social worker), and the secretary will get back to you to set an appointment. In some cases, there will be an option for remote treatment.

Social services are continuing to work on an emergency schedule. There is no option of initiating an appointment through the secretary, however, it is possible to inform the team of your request and a social worker will contact you by phone to provide assistance and set up a meeting if necessary.

Clinical nutritionists are providing regular service as necessary. We are continuing to provide nutritional information by phone or via telemedicine so that you won't have to come to the hospital. In the event of a nutritional problem, do not hesitate to contact us via your medical team or through the secretary of the Unit for Supportive Treatment, 03-5307821.

You can always leave a message at our Email: mirp.palliative-oncology@sheba.health.gov.il and we will get back to you.

Clinical Research

Clinical research in innovative technologies are a focal point of the Oncology Institute, and we are maintaining activities so that we can continue to provide our patients with the widest possible spectrum of therapies. Patients who have already been recruited and who are taking part in studies will continue to receive their treatment in accordance with the activities of the clinics, outpatient clinic and Health Ministry instructions. We are making the greatest effort, in cooperation with the research initiators, to limit visits such that patient safety will not be compromised. All questions can be brought to the study liaison.

Questions? Doubts

If you have any questions about the departments, Sheba's services or about COVID treatment at Sheba, please call the Families Liaison Services at 03-5307000.

ASK US!

If you have any questions about the departments or services provided at Sheba Medical Center or connected to treatment of corona at Sheba, call us at our Families Service hotline at 03-530700 ext. #1 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or Email us at sherut@sheba.gov.il. For other information in Israel, call the Health Ministry hotline *5400.